IN PHOTOS: Crowd of NFL fans spotted outside hospital taking care of Damar Hamlin
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made what appeared to be a routine tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. However, after knocking the receiver to the ground, the safety stood up and then immediately collapsed. He was eventually placed into an ambulance and taken to a local hospital.
According to Bills Wire, fans from both teams were spotted at the hospital later that evening, gathered with candles and signs. Here's a look at what the scene was like that night and a glimpse of what the scene was like the next day.
One final prayer circle outside UC Medical Center from Bengals and Bills fans for 24-year-old #DamarHamlin.
No further updates from hospital staff tonight. As it stands, Hamlin remains in critical condition. @WCPO https://t.co/Q2w7aTpCPC
Small group of fans standing outside the hospital. A couple trying to keep candles lit as the wind picks up here in Cincinnati. https://t.co/EgDDb9SACY
“Just because we’re bengals fans, doesn’t mean we aren’t fans of him. Nobody wants to experience something like this, that was horrific. We support you Bills. Cincinnati supports you.”
Fans are here at UC Medical Center showing support for Damar Hamlin. https://t.co/a2wCYJIcR3
Outside the hospital that Damar Hamlin is at, fans left this. #PrayForDamar https://t.co/8wEUp8qHHA
Heading to UC Medical Center with hope fans may still be there to show my support for Bills player Demar Hamlin to offer bags of hot breakfast sandwiches -coffee I'll pickup at the hospital cafeteria-
Thanks Sophia's Restaurant dwtn.
Ran into Bills fans leaving their hotel
👇 https://t.co/VyYpXcA68n
A man in a Bills jersey kneels and prays at the foot of the large UC HEALTH sign. Damar Hamlin is inside UC Medical Center last listed in critical condition. @WLWT https://t.co/hSfIw6Th4Z
@Ben_Baby I know that we have rivalries and whatnot, but deep down, football fans are a family, and needless to say, what happened to Damar Hamlin goes way beyond football.
God bless Damar Hamlin, and God bless those fans for being there to support him.
#BREAKING UC Medical now tells us there will be no update on #DamarHamlin tonight. No word on when to expect an update tomorrow. In the meantime Bengals and Bills fans continue to gather outside the hospital. @WCPO https://t.co/xOEGHyuvgq
A Bills fan kneels down outside the hospital as he waits to hear on Damar Hamlin’s condition. @WCPO https://t.co/AcCCh44TG8
@Ben_Baby I love this game bro
@VLyonsTV @WCPO I think these 2 teams will forever share a bond now. Bengals fans are good people. 🙏
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.
Monday Night Football suspended after life-threatening Damar Hamlin injury
It was a routine game featuring two top AFC teams and a hotly contested affair. Most predicted one team or the other to win, but no one expected the game to come to a screeching halt in the first quarter. According to the Buffalo Bills on Twitter, Damar Hamlin collapsed due to what is being called a cardiac arrest after hitting Tee Higgins.
According to the broadcast, his heartbeat was restored while receiving CPR and oxygen. He was then taken to a nearby hospital in an on-field ambulance. While treatment was being administered on the field, the broadcast took several commercial breaks before returning to the ESPN studio and Joe Buck and Troy Aikman's live commentary.
After Hamlin was taken away, the stadium was at a loss for what to do next. At one point, the announcers said that the players were given five minutes to get ready to play. However, that plan was quickly changed and both teams returned to their locker rooms.
Roger Goodell and other higher-ups were allegedly on the phone with the coaches in feeling out how to proceed. Eventually, the game was suspended for the night. It is unclear whether the game will go on to be canceled or if it will be played again at a future date. The Bills returned to Buffalo while some players, including wide receiver Stefon Diggs, reportedly stayed behind to stick with the safety.
As the events were unfolding, players from all corners of the NFL came out to show their support for the player. Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, JJ Watt, Kyler Murray, and others posted their prayers on social media. Since the game was effectively over, the ESPN broadcast cut away from the stadium and went straight to Scott Van Pelt's post-game show.
Fans, players, and pundits can only wait for an update on the safety's condition.